Recycling and Personal Context Assignment

Recycling and Personal Context Assignment

Objective: Prepare to participate in controversial discourse by exploring and formulating personal context

Instructions:
1. Read the “At Issue” box on page 61.
2. View the attached PowerPoint presentation on Understanding Your Personal Context: Understanding Your Personal Context.pptx Understanding Your Personal Context.pptx – Alternative Formats (Source: Montgomery College English Faculty)
3. For each of the 8 context dimensions, write a short paragraph of 3-5 sentences explaining your personal context.
4. For each dimension, rate whether it’s very important, important, or not important.
5. In paragraph 9 answer the question: Where do you stand in regards to recycling? That is, how far are you willing to go to make sure you do not create long-lasting waste? Do you generally believe in beneficial environmental effects of recycling? Do you follow waste sorting guidelines only when you have to or do you go an extra mile? Do you try to limit your purchase of items that require recycling or are hard to recycle, e.g. plastic bags, disposable containers, plastic straws, etc? Explain how your personal context affects your thoughts on this issue.

Length: 9 short paragraphs

Example:

Anna writes: Dimension 3 – Culture (important) “I have never thought much about my culture, but when I think about it, I realize it has been a huge influence. My culture values education, so there was never a question of whether I was going to college – I think my family would have disowned me if ever suggested otherwise! Also, nobody ever stepped through our doors without being offered food – lots of it. If my mom needed to grill a dozen burgers, she bought enough ground beef for two dozen, just in case. Also, in my culture, if someone needs help, you don’t ask if the person needs help; you just try to help without being asked. This exercise has made me realize that part of my sense of good manners and right and wrong is a result of how I grew up.”

ANSWER

Recycling and Personal Context Assignment

Dimension 1: Family (Very Important)

I was born in WRITE and grew up in a family of FIVE: my parents and NUMBER brothers and sisters. I can describe my family as affectionate, devoted, and always available to support each other in whatever endeavors we undertake. I am learning a lot from my parents, who have always helped my siblings and I working hard to provide for the basic needs ensuring that we never lack. When talking about my family, ‘I’ is not the best pronoun to use but ‘we’ as we function as a team.

Dimension 2: Social (Important)

I am a relatively social person, who believes socialization is crucial for the development and growth of an individual and at the same time, values my privacy. I love making friends from diverse places and walks of life because I am always curious to learn new ideas, acquire different perspectives, and view the world in other people’s eyes. I am a diverse and flexible person who will ensure right and wrong is distinguished, provide my opinions only after others have given theirs, and always appreciate positive criticism.

Dimension 3: Culture (Important)

I have always been open to trying new cultures, including learning about other people’s language, social habits, dressing, art, histories, and cuisines. What I am particular about my culture is that education is highly valued for every person. Family is a key and primary bond that must be protected, which makes me understand why my parents will always remind us to be a team. My culture defines me, helps me understand my origin, but does not limit me to explore, evaluate, and try other cultures.

Dimension 4: Professional/Career (Very Important)

I have always wanted to become a WRITE, working towards others’ service and betterment of humanity. I look up to A and B as they provide me with a roadmap of my professional and career life. I wish to study until WRITE and become the CEO of my company in the future.

Dimension 5: Political (Not Important)

I lean with the political ideology that stands for the people, for future progress, and humanity. If it is left or right-wing, liberals, republicans, radical, democrats, conservatives, or moderates that will realize the best for humanity, then I lean with them. Occasionally, I watch global and current events from the television and phone, which is rather convenient in this digitalized age. I always want to be informed on significant issues and politically influenced events to understand people’s governments and thought process.

Dimension 6: Spiritual (Important)

I have been thinking very hard about religion and spirituality. I have been researching and reading about different religious beliefs and practices out of curiosity and a need to understand the concept of God. I would say I am spiritual. I view spirituality as more fulfilling as it is personalized and brings about a sense of personal peace and purpose. For religion, the shared beliefs and organized practices are essential to many, but I feel spirituality brings one closer to their God than religion.

Dimension 7: Personal (Very Important)

I believe personality, hobbies, interests, style, and appearance are significant areas shaping who I am and who I want to be. I hold that I have the true self, in which I cannot change, the perceived self that people see, and the ideal self, which I always aspire to become. I look up to many people in my career, appearance, and style, with the popular media, one can easily borrow a concept and own it. This influences my decisions, attitudes, and perspectives; hence they become very critical. Moreover, these are innate things, and they cannot be detached from someone, it is like losing a part of myself.

Dimension 8: Experience (Important)

Every day and experience is a learning opportunity. If I do something wrong or right, I learn from that, whether in school or at home. Every life transition for me significantly impacts my life and prepares me to be a better person.

Recycling

I would say that I am an environmentalist who will always collect litter wherever I go and dispose of it correctly. I hold environmental conservation dear to my heart, so recycling is an innate thing I have been doing for a while. I remember a stranger one-day staring with admiration as I collected and disposed of litter in our neighborhood as I walked. If bulbs are on during the day and are not used I switch off, same as running water, I always use reusable shopping bags and embrace the systems developed by organizations to ensure short-term waste management.